Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Thursday flagged off the distribution of instructional materials and sports kits to pupils of public basic schools across the 16 local governments of the state.

The gesture, according to the Governor, was part of his administration’s plan to enhance educational standards, and reduce the burden on pupils/students’ parents amid economic reality in the country.

This comes a day after the administration opened bids for the 2020 FGN-UBEC/SUBEB intervention projects, where at least 215 contractors had signified interest.

“This flag-off ceremony for the distribution of both instructional materials and sports kits procured from UBEC/KWSUBEB interventions of 2018 and 2019 matching grants is of great significance to the upliftment of basic education in the state. It reduces the burden on pupils/students’ parents, most especially in this hard time in the country,” he said in Ajase-Ipo, Irepodun local government of the state.

AbdulRazaq, who was represented at the event by Deputy Governor, Mr. Kayode Alabi, said the programme was also aimed at repositioning basic education in the area of sporting activities, and to provide pupils/students with good and sound health.

“Similarly, this administration is working assiduously at ensuring effective teaching and learning of physical education and other subjects in our schools through prompt payment of salary, implementation of promotions, payment of palliative and provision of instructional materials which in turn breeds a conducive teaching and learning atmosphere in our schools,” he added.

AbdulRazaq appreciated key stakeholders who he said are working round the clock in ensuring the success of all programmes of the administration, with particular reference to school leaders, administrators, teachers, and non-teaching staff.

The event was well attended by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Mrs. Rebecca Bake Olanrewaju; TIC Chairmen for Irepodun Comrade Jide Oyinloye, and Oke-Ero, Hon. Gbenga Yusuf; traditional rulers from Irepodun LG led by the Olupo of Ajase-Ipo Oba Ismaila Yahaya Alebiosu; and former deputy Chief of staff to the Governor, Princess Olubukola Babalola, among others.

Chairman Kwara SUBEB, Prof Raheem Adaramaja, for his part, said Governor AbdulRazaq has been doing so much to reposition the education sector, including the procurement of multi- million naira textbooks and sports kits that he said are meant to make the students physically and mentally fit.

He thanked AbdulRazaq for the prompt response to the yearnings and aspirations of workers in the state, especially the teaching and non-teaching staff.

Adaramaja also praised the federal government through UBEC, the royal fathers, religious leaders and other relevant stakeholders for playing outstanding roles that culminated into the successes of the state government in the sector.

Mrs. Olanrewaju, in her remarks, said what is being witnessed in the state’s education sector is unique and commendable, and affirming all this process is capable of fully reviving the lost glory in that sector.

She appealed to all benefiting schools to make sure that the given items are properly delivered and maintained to achieve the set target.

Olupo of Ajase-Ipo Oba Ismail Yahaya Alebiosu, in his submission, said the project further attests that the administration is focused on changing the face of the education sector that he called a bedrock of any society.

He hailed AbdulRazaq for truly serving the masses, and how his government encourages the youth to fulfill their life dreams, alluding to his ascension to the throne of his forebears at youthful age as a case study.

“We thank His Excellency for deeming it fit to promote education at all times. We pray that Almighty God will continue to be with His Excellency. A government that sincerely has people in mind is the government that always thinks of how to bring its people out of ignorance,” the monarch said.

Some of the instructional materials for distribution include textbooks of Mathematics, English, Basic and Technology, Computer, Nigerian History and Jolly Phonics, plastic chairs and tables, ECCD materials, ICT equipment materials, and toys for ECCD materials among others.

The sports facilities include sets of table tennis, 120 sets of Jessey, traditional opon ayo; balls – volley, focal and hand balls; boots of different grades; crutches, mobile cane, typewriters, talking calculators, print magnifiers, digital recorders, adaptive laptops, sensory toys, walking frames and wheelchairs for pupils with physical disabilities, among others.

Atere Abiola Ameenat

Press Secretary,

Kwara SUBEB

September 21, 2023.

The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the exhumation of the corpse of the late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba popularly known as Mohbad on Thursday.

The police also arrested the nurse who reportedly injected the deceased singer prior to his demise on Tuesday, September 12, PUNCH Metro can confirm.

The Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the developments to our correspondent in an exclusive telephone interview on Thursday.

“Mohbad’s corpse has been exhumed today, and an autopsy will begin as soon as possible,” Hundeyin said.

However, responding to a further inquiry by our correspondent concerning arrests made by the police in connection with the late singer’s death, Hundeyin added, “I can’t answer questions on the arrests yet, because I don’t have that update. However, the nurse is in our custody; I can confirm that.”

PUNCH Metro reports that acting Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, had earlier issued a directive to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohynwa, instructing him to initiate a swift and comprehensive investigation into the tragic passing of Mohbad.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, made the development known in a late Saturday night official correspondence.

Adejobi said, “The acting Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has issued a direct and urgent directive to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, instructing him to initiate a swift and comprehensive investigation into the tragic passing of Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, widely known as Mohbad.

“This directive was conveyed during a brief but crucial discussion at the Police Airwing Hangar, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, on Saturday, September 16, 2023. He tasked the CP to quickly and effectively unravel the truth behind the tragedy as there have been understandable concerns and speculations surrounding the circumstances of his untimely demise.

“The Nigeria Police Force hereby earnestly urges any family members or close associates possessing valuable information pertaining to this case to come forward and cooperate with the Lagos State Police Command to ensure that justice is served and the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s demise are thoroughly examined.

Meanwhile, consequent upon the growing public concerns and the preliminary police review of the general circumstances surrounding the death of Mohbad, Owohunwa had earlier directed the commencement of a full-scale criminal investigation into the case.

Hundeyin made the development Saturday night in an official correspondence obtained by our correspondent.

PUNCH Metro reports that the circumstances leading to the death of Mohbad who died on Tuesday at the age of 27, is yet to be unraveled and ascertained.

Giving an update on Saturday night, Hundeyin said, “To this end, the Commissioner of Police has constituted a Special Investigation Team within the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department to coordinate the investigation.

“The team, which comprises seasoned homicide detectives, has been tasked to aggregate all allegations, suspicions and insinuations from various sources on the death of the singer and undertake a professional, diligent and timely investigation with a view to establishing facts, clearing all doubts and ensuring that justice is manifestly served through a meticulous process that will deploy all requisite protocols (which may include exhumation), as well as technical and scientific tools that are vital to the detailed investigation of homicide allegations of this nature.

“In aid of this initiative, the Lagos State Government has pledged its total support to the Special Investigation Team in all ways required to guarantee a diligent investigative exercise. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu gave this assurance while consulting with the State Commissioner of Police earlier today on how best to ensure that the case is expeditiously investigated and justice delivered promptly,”

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had invited the Department of Security Services to join the probe of late the singer.

This was contained in a statement signed by Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, on Tuesday. The state government also commiserated with the family and fans of the former Marlian Records signee.

“We feel the pains of losing such a talented and promising young man, who made a name for himself in a highly competitive industry. May the Almighty grant his soul rest and comfort his bereaved family and fans,” the statement read.

In addition to the police special investigative team in Lagos to probe the death of Mohbad, “Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has invited the DSS to join the investigation and widen the dragnet with inter-agency collaboration and use of best-in-class technology to unearth the truth.

“Mr. Sanwo-Olu has directed that all those who may have played any role whatsoever in any event leading to the death of MohBad be made to face the law after a thorough investigation. Consequently, DSS has also joined the investigation so as to get justice for the youngster, his family, and teeming fans,” it added.

The state government pleaded with all those who may have vital information that may assist the investigation process to avail the investigating team of such.

“Government also appeals to the investigating team to guarantee the confidentiality and protection of all witnesses who may come forward with vital information or indicative evidence that may assist the process,” it added.

PUNCH Metro reports that the management of Mohbad, on Monday night, announced a candlelight procession and tribute night for the late artiste.

Since Mohbad’s death, his music fans and sympathisers have called for a proper investigation to know the cause of his death.

Taking to the social media handles of the late singer, the management “appreciate the outpouring of love from Fans across the world to the ones who’ve organised events in their communities as a way to honour and pay respect to our shining light we say thank you. Join us for Mohbad’s candlelight procession and tribute concert.”

Also, human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, said on Wednesday that Omowunmi, wife of Mohbad, visited him to demand justice for her late husband.

Speaking with PUNCH Metro in Abuja, Falana noted that he visited the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Idowu Owohunwa, adding that he (Owohunwa) had been assured that investigation had been launched.

“The young widow of Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, also known as Mohbad, visited our office yesterday (Tuesday) to seek support in pursuing justice for her late husband.

“While sympathising with her and the entire Aloba family, we assured her of our unalloyed commitment to ensure that the circumstances of the unfortunate death of the Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter were unearthed.

“Thereafter, we held a meeting with the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Idowu Owohunwa, in respect of the investigation being conducted by the police in respect of the matter. The CP furnished me with the progress made so far in the investigation.

“We commend Nigerian youths for protesting peacefully and demanding justice. I assure them and other concerned citizens that we shall collaborate with the coroner to expose those who are remotely and directly responsible for the suspicious death of Mohbad.”

Loyalists of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar are pushing for former Senate President, David Mark as the party’s next chairman.

PDP has been without a substantive chairman since March 2023 after the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu was suspended at the ward level of the party in Benue State.

Ayu’s suspension saw Umar Ililya Damagum emerge as acting national chairman but Atiku camp is reportedly uncomfortable with him.

The camp of the former Vice President was not pleased with Damagum’s emergence as he is seen to be close to a former governor of Rivers state and now Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike who is serving under the All Progressives Congress (APC) government.

Sources that spoke with TheCable believe Mark if appointed as the next Chairman has the capacity to deal with renegade party members who are involved in anti-party activities.

Some supporters of Atiku, former governor of Jigawa, Sule Lamido, former governor of Niger, Babangida Aliyu and Adamu Maina Waziri, a former minister, once tried to move against the acting chairman but pulled back because of a possible backlash.

A former governor told TheCable, “You would expect the PDP to have suspended or expelled Wike by now for his anti-party activities, worsened by his acceptance of a ministerial appointment from a rival party.

“But it is very clear that the national working committee is in Wike’s pocket, so we should not expect any form of discipline in the party.”